Waukesha, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waukesha, Wisconsin had a total population of 71,233, the 7th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $83,837, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waukesha Quick Facts
How Waukesha Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,779 | 71,233 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $81,651 | $83,837 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $286,600 | $315,500 | +10.1% |
How Waukesha Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waukesha Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Waukesha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookfield | 41,273 | $129,548 | 3.2% | $443,900 |
| New Berlin | 40,270 | $101,091 | 4.1% | $365,700 |
| Menomonee Falls | 39,539 | $100,238 | 5.2% | $368,000 |
| Muskego | 25,406 | $112,221 | 3.0% | $417,400 |
| Oconomowoc | 19,080 | $106,425 | 7.7% | $394,500 |
| Pewaukee | 16,211 | $108,350 | 3.7% | $447,100 |
| Sussex | 12,066 | $119,041 | 4.5% | $430,600 |
| Hartland | 9,972 | $87,754 | 5.2% | $393,100 |
| Mukwonago | 8,415 | $98,273 | 4.2% | $366,200 |
| Pewaukee | 8,196 | $62,139 | 7.3% | $281,800 |
Cities Similar to Waukesha
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | 75,023 | $80,483 | $231,400 | 38.2% | 8.3% |
| Eau Claire | 70,322 | $67,395 | $247,600 | 36.7% | 14.3% |
| Janesville | 66,030 | $73,446 | $223,400 | 27.3% | 9.0% |
| Oshkosh | 66,729 | $62,188 | $177,700 | 27.4% | 17.5% |
| Racine | 77,633 | $57,740 | $166,500 | 21.4% | 18.2% |
Population Overview
Waukesha is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Waukesha County. The total population is 71,233. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waukesha is 36.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waukesha is $83,837. This is 8% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $315,500. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 58.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waukesha is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The Black or African American population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.3% vs 8.0%).
Education
41.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waukesha, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waukesha, Wisconsin?
Waukesha, Wisconsin has a population of 71,233 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waukesha, WI?
The median household income in Waukesha is $83,837, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waukesha, WI?
The poverty rate in Waukesha is 9.8%. This means approximately 6,836 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waukesha, Wisconsin?
Waukesha's population is 78.2% White, 2.6% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waukesha, WI?
The median home value in Waukesha is $315,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Waukesha, Wisconsin?
41.7% of adults (25+) in Waukesha hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.